Gronk’s “booze-cruise” becomes issue in Romo lawsuit

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski’s recent cruise has drawn plenty of attention. It’s also caught the eye of Tony Romo’s National Fantasy Football Convention.

PFT has obtained a copy of the second amended petition filed Monday in a Texas court, and it specifically mentions Gronkowski’s floating party on the high seas. Paragraph 47 states as follows:

“NFL player Rob Gronkowski hosted a party cruise from Miami to the Bahamas on February 19-22, 2016. The four-day party took place on Norwegian Cruise Line, where Gronkowski’s fans and attendees can take full advantage of Norweigan’s famed ‘Casinos at Sea.’ Photos from the booze-cruise show fans gambling at the on-board casino. The NFL specifically knew about the party cruise and its ties to gambling for more than seven months leading up to the event; yet the NFL took no action to either discipline Rob Gronkowski or prevent the event from taking place.”

The NFFC lawsuit claims that the NFL shut down the convention by forcing players and NFL Media employees who had committed to the event to cancel. A hearing on the NFL’s motion for summary judgment will be held on Monday. If the NFL fails to win at the summary-judgment phase, the case will head to trial, absent a settlement.

So Gronk is responsible for what other people do on a cruise ship in international waters, even though like 2/3 of the passengers didn’t even know the Gronk cruise was going on beforehand. K

wte1 says:Feb 23, 2016 8:45 PM

Romo should just schedule his next Fantasy Convention on the high seas. Problem solved.

Romo needs to learn to be as smart as Gronk.

sexyya says:Feb 23, 2016 8:55 PM

Tony Romo is reaching. That’s like saying he saw Gronk and his fans buying lottery tickets and since lottery is a form of gambling, why should he have his fantasy football operations. There are different levels of gambling and I don’t think Rob and his party boat friends playing poker or cards on a boat reaches the level of the business enterprise Tony wants to run. And there is a huge difference between gambling and actually owning a gambling enterprise.

The best cruise video was when Gronk bounced Sergio Brown out the door of the club.

But seriously folks, if you haven’t heard about Gronk’s work ethic and study habits you might be misunderstanding a big reason for his success. Plenty of physically talented athletes have bitten the dust in the NFL instead of excelling like Gronk. His achievements would indicate that he has his stuff together, is not getting by on talent alone, and is hardly an alcoholic as some cretin stated above. Compare and contrast to Squander Johnny, who needs serious help. NFL fans should be happy that there’s a Gronk to kick around in this era of outright criminals and Me First problem children.

Its a great lawsuit and just shows how petty and 2-faced the comish and the owners…… are what joke guys this aint the 1930 gambling fuels the massive interest and ratings…… dont act like the whole world doesnt know this and accept this. Embrace legal regulated sports books and watch the rates go even higher than you can imagine. Dont hide behind the shield boys come out into the light.

RG: Everybody is to leave here immediately! This party is closed until further notice. Clear the room, at once!
RG87: How can you close me up? On what grounds?
RG: I am shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!
Croupier: [hands RG money] Your winnings, sir.
RG: Oh, thank you very much. Everybody out at once!

Uh oh Commish, looks like yet another trip to the hypocrisy store! What a week. First stealing money from the players now picking and choosing who you allow to be around gambling…..outside of your fans and players during the London games.

From a legal view it seems clear that Romo and others relied to their
detriment on the NFL’s earlier conduct. In addition now that the NFL
has appeared to have acted arbitrarily and capriously Romo and company may be able,to to awarded their expectation damages in addition to their out of pockets spent when the league apparently
approved the venture.
This does go a little deeper. It appears the league is unable to reach
decisions with consistently. Look at the inconsistency in many of their
disciplinary efforts.
Roger a word to the wise …give up the disciplinary oversight …it’s killing you. Delegate and empower. Allow arbitration. You have done
a magnificent job on revenue. Why allow this to harm your legacy.
( I do have to comment ….your success was built on the obvious ….the union has no economic power…nonetheless you got it done)

The bottom line is it has nothing to do with “gambling,” per se, and EVERYTHING to do with the multi billion-dollar Fantasy Football industry, of which the NFL wants a piece of the pie. Had the cruise ship been full of meatheads, bros, and unsuspecting octogenarians doing mock fantasy drafts rather than playing $5 blackjack and shuffleboard, good old Rog would have been all over it. But, since it’s not Fantasy Football season and there’s no threat of missing out on the fantasy cash, the NFL doesn’t care.

Personally, I don’t believe it’s in the league’s best interest to have players directly involved with Fantasy Football (as was the case with Romo). That said, it’s pretty hypocritical of them to take such a hardline stance when owners like Jones, Kraft, and others are investors in daily fantasy leagues (not to mention the never-ending advertising during NFL broadcasts).

Al in MIA says:Feb 23, 2016 11:36 PM

Florio didn’t explain clearly about the NFL policy which states that players and other NFL employees cannot partake in gambling events or locations that partake in gambling

Al in MIA says:Feb 23, 2016 11:40 PM

Romo naming Gronks recent cruise is just one of several exmples named in the lawsuit as means to show that the NFL employees a double standard on its own policy

FattyWayneFontes says:Feb 23, 2016 11:51 PM

GronkDrunkGate#

kraa0901 says:Feb 24, 2016 12:10 AM

You hate us, cuz you ain’t us. I’m a Vikings fan and I’m saying this.

So many people want to bash a guy because he can do what you can’t….get over it, or do something to be able to do cool stuff like the guy….or be quiet and sit there.

Face it Tony, Roger and the league have ALWAYS been “selective” (you know ARBITRARY, CAPRICIOUS and DISCRIMINATORY) in their applications of ANY AND ALL of the NFL’s “rules”. Oh and the wonder up there who made the comment about a child complaining. No, it’s called an ADULT SUING when ILLEGAL actions are taken. If ya don’t like the FACTS… CHANGE ‘EM! BUT, the league doesn’t have and never will, the RIGHT too enforce the rules OFF THE FIELD … only when it wants too!

Much like every other patriot player, like Chandler Jones, Belicheat, Brady can break the rules. Goodell turns a blind eye to whatever happens with patriot players unless caught cheating by another team. In which he still finds a way to sweep it under the rug.

kmossg says:Feb 24, 2016 4:58 AM

babygaga19 says:
Feb 23, 2016 8:21 PM
I wonder how good Gronk would be if he wasn’t a flaming alcoholic?
——————–
functioning*

bigoldred says:Feb 24, 2016 6:35 AM

The NFL can’t make money on a cruise, but can make money on fantasy football. It came down on Romo because they don’t want to lose a nickel. It’s all about the INTEGRITY.

blogatron2000 says:Feb 24, 2016 6:40 AM

Romo needs new lawyers because the ones he has are terrible. To compare casino games to an activity that is directly related to wagering on NFL games is ridiculous. They’re grasping at straws.

That said, the Gronk cruise was originally planned to charter the entire ship but couldn’t sell the cabins so NCL opened it up for general passengers. Two thirds (1400) of the passengers on that ship weren’t there because of Gronk.

vikingforlife says:
Feb 23, 2016 8:28 PM
It’s all fun and games ’til somebody shoots an eye out!
_________________________________________
It’s all fun and games ’til the greedy 32 figure out there not able to steal money from it.

Roger has yet to figure out how to monetize by sea……but be patient….the Full 32 will not let future dollars slip through the greedy fingers.
“Jerrah….let’s jack up the beer rates to $18 a cup…..we’ll get ours!!”

xxsweepthelegxx says:Feb 24, 2016 7:55 AM

Some obvious things happened here.

1. Gronk likes to party
2. The NFL is inconsistent in its punishments and decision making
3. No one is surprised by this story

The slots and gambling enterprises are operated by Norweigian not Gronk. They are careful to not open the machines until international waters. This is a business they run with or without Gronk and their knowledge of how to do it exceeds both Gronk and Romo together. This is a company that operates on the high seas, they are very familiar with the laws of the high seas as well as all the countries they visit and they navigate them (no pun intended) with perfect expertise.

Regarding the comments about Gronk being an alchoholic, Gronk drinks very little. He is actually very careful what he puts in his body not just with drink but foods he eats etc. He is not drunk in those party shots, that’s just how the guy is.

holdsteady76 says:
Feb 23, 2016 9:00 PM
I don’t understand this.
———————
Basically, Romo is saying that a US court should agree with him that the NFL’s stance is unfair in hamstringing his soft-gambling fantasy football party in the US because it even “allows” NFL players to organize hard-gambling casino cruises. But Romo is massively over-reaching because:
a) Gronk’s party was completely unrelated to football whereas Romo’s has everything to do with the NFL.
b) it was in international waters where US law doesn’t apply, or the Bahamas (where the Queen of England is head of state!) and the NFL couldn’t stop it if it wanted to.

Sometimes people reach during lawsuits, this seems to be one of those. Romo’s going to need better arguments than this one unless he wants to be the one person who actually loses to the NFL in the legal system.

pats777 says:Feb 24, 2016 9:15 AM

Riiiight. They’re not gambling on NFL games and players, like “fantasy” league’s do. Romo needs some better freaking lawyers. A 2 year old could make a better argument than this.

Wow, so many dense people and comments here.
The lawsuit is simply using Gronk’s video that was released on the Internet (that doesn’t equate to Tony Romo “snitching”) that suggests the player was involved in a similar relationship that Tony Romo was wanting to host for Fantasy Football enthusiasts.
It’s calling out the hypocrisy of the NFL for shutting down Romo’s convention but letting Gronk party it up and host what is essentially the same type of event.
Furthermore, this isn’t Tony Romo, this is the lawyers representing Romo who are fighting against the NFL’s stranglehold.
I highly suggest most of you do some research and look past your Gronk goggles and quit bashing what you don’t understand.
Romo’s lawyers have a perfectly valid example to use against the NFL here, it would seem.

firedog784 says:Feb 24, 2016 9:29 AM

>>>>I wonder how good Gronk would be if he wasn’t a flaming alcoholic?<<<<

Probably still good enough to hold an extra point.

steelerben says:Feb 24, 2016 9:36 AM

streetyson says:
Feb 24, 2016 8:29 AM

Basically, Romo is saying that a US court should agree with him that the NFL’s stance is unfair in hamstringing his soft-gambling fantasy football party in the US because it even “allows” NFL players to organize hard-gambling casino cruises. But Romo is massively over-reaching because:
a) Gronk’s party was completely unrelated to football whereas Romo’s has everything to do with the NFL.
b) it was in international waters where US law doesn’t apply, or the Bahamas (where the Queen of England is head of state!) and the NFL couldn’t stop it if it wanted to.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Romo’s convention was not shut down because fantasy football is considered gambling. It was shut down because it was being hosted on property connected to a gambling enterprise, specifically the Sands Casino, even though it was a convention center where no gambling takes place. Fantasy football had not yet been labeled as gambling in state court cases at this point and it was still merely considered a “game of skill” that the NFL was making lots of money off of.

Gronk’s cruise, which the NFL also clearly knew about in advance, was allowed to be hosted regardless of the fact that there WOULD be gambling on site.

The inconsistency of the application of this rule has direct bearing on the court case and should most certainly be used against the NFL.

realdealsteel says:
Feb 24, 2016 9:03 AM
Why does Gronk get to go around drunk but when Manziel does it, it’s a federal offense?

—

Well let’s see….

Gronk does not miss team meetings.
Gronk has not been forced to go to rehab.
Gronk does not have a police record.
Gronk does not hit girls.
Gronk does not dress up and go to Vegas when he is supposed to report to a team Dr.
Basically Gronk has never been in any off field trouble.

Big difference between playing some slots on a boat and directly gambling on the NFL via fantasy football.

————————————

Big difference between posting on PFT and actually understanding issue you are posting about. Issue at hand had nothing to do with sacred fantasy football cash cow. Problem was event was hosted at a casino in Nevada where there is a legal sports book.

TheWizard says:Feb 24, 2016 9:38 AM

Why does Gronk get to go around drunk but when Manziel does it, it’s a federal offense

Remember when binge drinking was cute and fun? That Gronk, what a macho guy. Nobody can beat him at drinking contests. He the best!

silvernblacksabbath says:Feb 24, 2016 9:41 AM

tylawspick6 says:
Feb 23, 2016 8:25 PM

Did someone above just say the “league looks the other way with the Patriots”?

LOL!

Not only do they not NOT look they other way, they make up lies to frame the Pats, sell it to morons who believe Goodell, and punish severely for parity purposes.
————————————
Patriots will get their 1st Round Pick back guaranteed.. It was a sham for publicity=NFL!

Why does Gronk get to go around drunk but when Manziel does it, it’s a federal offense
______________________________
I wasn’t on the cruise and I’m guessing you weren’t so we don’t know if Gronkowski was drunk or not. But, if you want to throw Manziel in the mix then all I can say is Gronkowski doesn’t beat up woman, doesn’t drive drunk, and as far as I know, he’s never been arrested, and he’s never been in rehab either as far as you or I know…

iamapatsfan says:Feb 24, 2016 9:59 AM

bencoates57 says:Feb 23, 2016 8:20 PM

Why don’t we just criminalize anything that stimulates the pleasure center in our brain.

—–

Well, except for Roger Goodell NFL where due to parity every team goes between 7-9 and 9-7 every year and each year there’s a different SB winner from a different major market in a totally random, not at all pre-planned rotation that is completely in line with the peerless integrity of the game.

There were more instances than this one that was brought up about the NFL looking away from certain “gambling” functions. This is just the one PFT put out so this thread would get a lot of Romo haters or Gronk haters or Cowboys/Patriots haters, to respond.

That’s because the NFL looks the other way at anything involving the Patriots.
__________

This statement is absolute, irrefutable proof that Patriots haters will LIE, LIE, and LIE some more and say anything no matter how outrageously false in order to express their Patriots hatred (which in reality, as we all know is JEALOUSY).

God Almighty, the abject stupidity of morons like this clown is astounding.

realdealsteel says:
Feb 24, 2016 9:03 AM
Why does Gronk get to go around drunk but when Manziel does it, it’s a federal offense?

——————————————————

Because Gronk doesn’t. He loves that scene and whoops it up. But what you are watching is not drunken behavior, that’s just how Gronk is. He is like that every day from when he gets up in the morning. Aside from that boisterous enthusiasm you see at parties he is like that toward his training (which includes being very picky about what he puts in himself, not a boozer at all) he is like that at the practice field (go to the Pats camps and watch) and you may have noticed (trust opposing defenses notice) that that’s how he is on the field. He is just always ‘up’, happy, and does everything flat out.

getyourownname says:Feb 24, 2016 11:07 AM

Tony would be really annoyed if he found out Scott Van Pelt was invited on the cruise.

dejadoh says:
Feb 23, 2016 9:48 PM
RG: Everybody is to leave here immediately! This party is closed until further notice. Clear the room, at once!
RG87: How can you close me up? On what grounds?
RG: I am shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!
Croupier: [hands RG money] Your winnings, sir.
RG: Oh, thank you very much. Everybody out at once!

RG
RG87…….

now this is hilarious.. made my day!!

granadafan says:Feb 24, 2016 11:24 AM

I’m not a Romo fan, but I hope he takes the NFL to the cleaners. They’ve already been caught stealing at LEAST $100 million from players. They already steal from the taxpayers and pay cheerleaders far below minimum wage.

Even if it was(which it looks like ) pats ain’t getting that pick back

bubbahotepp says:Feb 24, 2016 11:36 AM

Tired of this ‘double standard’ nonsense. First, we have all the ESPN clowns saying that if that were a black player doing the same thing that all hell would break loose ( a la Cam Newton). Even worse are the comparisons to Manziel. I am not even remotely a Pats fan by any measure, but Gronk confines his partying to when its time to party. He is young, healthy and wealthy, and he’s earned his party boat. What’s he supposed to do, hang out in church in the off season? He doesn’t show up at work drunk, he doesn’t have domestic violence issues (that I know of) and he doesn’t stage a Broadway review on the field every time he gets a first down. He dances at clubs for fun, not on the field to gloat. At least give him an opportunity to actually screw up before you pass judgement.

jchipwood says:
Feb 24, 2016 4:11 AM
Much like every other patriot player, like Chandler Jones, Belicheat, Brady can break the rules. Goodell turns a blind eye to whatever happens with patriot players unless caught cheating by another team. In which he still finds a way to sweep it under the rug.

——————————————————–

So your complaint is that Goodell has been finding ways to sweep deflategate under a rug? That’s quite some rug.

You guys do realize that Tony Romo isn’t really involved in this, right? Tony is part of the investor group that hired lawyers to try to recuperate their lost investment. They believe the NFL acted too late, after they had known the details of the fantasy football event for a significant period of time, and caused the investor group to lose millions of dollars. The point of this lawsuit is to help recuperate most of the lost investment. Some of you seem to think Tony Romo is sitting in his basement creating a PowerPoint presentation about why Gronk is a meanie head. That’s not how it works. Love, Daddy.

sn19 says:Feb 24, 2016 4:16 PM

“bubbahotepp says:
Feb 24, 2016 11:36 AM
Tired of this ‘double standard’ nonsense. First, we have all the ESPN clowns saying that if that were a black player doing the same thing that all hell would break loose ( a la Cam Newton). Even worse are the comparisons to Manziel. I am not even remotely a Pats fan by any measure, but Gronk confines his partying to when its time to party. He is young, healthy and wealthy, and he’s earned his party boat. What’s he supposed to do, hang out in church in the off season? He doesn’t show up at work drunk, he doesn’t have domestic violence issues (that I know of) and he doesn’t stage a Broadway review on the field every time he gets a first down. He dances at clubs for fun, not on the field to gloat. At least give him an opportunity to actually screw up before you pass judgement.”

I wish I could thumbs up this comment twice. If people can’t understand the difference, they should probably stop watching the NFL…or, at least stop commenting on this page.

realdealsteel says:
Feb 24, 2016 9:03 AM
Why does Gronk get to go around drunk but when Manziel does it, it’s a federal offense?
=================
Maybe because Manziel decided to do it during the regular season and skipped team meetings as a result?